Alabama Child Labor Laws – 14 and 15 Year Olds

Alabama child labor laws have provisions specifically directed to 14 and 15 year olds, including restrictions on what times during a day 14 and 15 year olds may work, how many hours in a week they many work, and what jobs or occupations they may perform. The restrictions on the employment of 14 and 15 year olds under Alabama’s child labor laws are discussed below.

Topics Covered

Eligibility to Work Form

Alabama child labor laws require 14 and 15 year olds to obtain an Eligibility to Work Form from the Alabama Department of Labor before they may begin working for an employer. Employers must obtain a copy of a youth’s Eligibility to Work Form and retain it on file for each 14 and 15 year old the employer employs in any any occupation, except agricultural services. AL Code 25-8-45(a), (b) Employees may obtain an Eligibility to Work Form from their school if they are performing satisfactorily in school. AL Code 25-8-46 The school which a 14 or 15 year old attends may revoke or suspend the youth’s employment if the youth’s attendance and performance record is not satisfactory. AL Code 25-8-45(e)

Child Labor Certificate

Alabama child labor laws require employers who wish to employ 14 and 15 year olds, except in agricultural services, to obtain a Class I Child Labor Certificate from the Alabama Department of Labor before employing any 14 or 15 year old youth. The certificate authorizes the employer to employ 14 and 15 year olds in conformance with the requirements of Alabama’s child labor laws and costs $15. An employer that employs a 14 or 15 year old without a Class I Child Labor Certificate will be subject to a $50 penalty. AL Code 25-8-45(c), (d), (g), (h)(3)

An exception to these time restrictions is triggered when the 14 or 15 year old has complete high school or an equivalent. In such instances, the youth may obtain permission from the local school superintendent to work the hours allowed for 14 and 15 year olds when school is not is session even when school is in session. AL Code 25-8-37

Youth who are 14 and 15 years old may only work in a trade or occupation performed in a street or public place, such as distributing or selling newspapers, magazines, periodicals, or candy, between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. AL Code 25-8-40 Minors who are found to be working in violation of this restriction on working in streets or public places may be arrested on juvenile deliquency charges. AL Code 25-8-42

Prohibited jobs or work environments

Alabama child labor laws allow employer to employ youth who are 14 and 15 years old during the time periods listed above in most jobs. However, they may not work in, about, or in connection with the following:

manufacturing or mechanical establishments

cannery, mill, workshop, warehouse, or machine shops

operating or assisting in operating sandpaper or wood polishing machinery

operating or assisting in operating washing, grinding, or mixing machinery

operating or assisting in operating commercial laundry equipment

operating or assisting in operating machines used in picking wool, cotton, hair, or any other material

rolling mill, machine shop, or manufacturing establishment which is hazardous or dangerous to health, limb, or life

in proximity to hazardous or unguarded gearing

any vessel or boat engaged in navigation or commerce within the jurisdiction of Alabama

manufacturing or packing paints, colors, or white or red lead

occupations causing dust in injurious quantities

soldering, brazing, heat treating, or welding

the building trades, except when the 14 or 15 year old is a member of the immediate family of the contractor and is employed in trades involving nonhazardous duties or occupations

repairing, painting, or cleaning buildings or structures while working at the top of ladders, lifts, or scaffolds exceeding a height of six feet

junk or scrap metal yard

assorting, manufacturing, or packing tobacco

operating any automobile, truck, or motor vehicle, or flagging or directing traffic

airport hangars or landing strips or taxi and maintenance aprons

lumberyards

selling fireworks, unless under the direct supervision of an individual who is at least 18 years of age.

any place or occupation the Alabama Department of Labor declares to be dangerous to life or limb or injurious to the health or morals of children under 16 years of age

Establishments that sell alcoholic beverages

Establishments that sell, serve, or dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises may not employ any youth under the age of 16, unless a member of the youth’s immediate family owns and operates the establishment. In such cases, youth who are 14 and 15 years old may work in the establish so long as they do not serve, sell, dispense, or handle alcoholic beverages. AL Code 25-8-44(b), (c)